Philippine Environmental Planning

Friday, September 28, 2018

Mining in six regions greenlighted

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu on Thursday announced that
quarrying operations in six regions may resume after a week of
suspension.

At a press conference held at the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) main office, Cimatu announced that suspension
of selected quarrying sites was lifted after the department’s review
teams conducted quick assessment and site inspections to assure the
public of safety from quarry operations.

“There are no communities around the quarry sites that will be
affected in case of a landslide,” the Environment chief said as he
greenlighted 90 percent of quarrying operations.

The quarrying ban remains in Naga City, Cebu, however, after the
landslide incident that buried more than 20 houses and killed more than
60 people.

According to the DENR head, mining by Apo Land Quarry Corp (ALQC) in
Naga is part of the “10 percent” of quarry operations that remain
halted.

Cimatu disclosed that what prompted the decision to allow the mining
sites to operate anew was to ensure the stability of cement production
and supply in the country.

It was after Department of Trade and Industry raised concerns the
quarry ban may affect prices of cement — a necessity in the government’s
construction projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program.

ALQC, which is still banned from conducting operations, is one of the biggest cement manufacturers in the Philippines.